The Rules Of Life: A Personal Code For Living A Better, Happier, More Successful Life (2006) - Plot & Excerpts
The expanded edition of "The Rules of Life: A Personal Code for Living a Better, Happier, More Successful Life" by Richard Templar is a great read for practical, motivational, and inspiring advice on how to live. Templar says if you follow these rules, you'll feel better, you'll be a better friend, partner, and parent, and that you'll leave the world a better place. I think he's right, and this book of rules is a great handbook of how to live, how to treat people, and how to be a better member of society.I'd already read the expanded edition of Richard Templar's "The Rules of Work: A Definitive Code for Personal Success," so I pretty much expected more of the same, and that is what this book consisted of. If you like one of these books, you'll most likely enjoy the other. If you don't like one, skip the other because they are similar. Similar in that they consist of short essays on Templar's "Rules." This book, "The Rules of Life," contains 106 such rules, divided into four parts. These parts cover these general areas: Rules for You, Partnership Rules, Family and Friends Rules, and Social Rules.I liked the book because the rules make sense, and Templar acknowledges that every rule might not be for everyone. However, following these rule, or at least attempting to, can definitely improve one's life. And yes, some are very easy and you may have heard them from your mother when you were young, such as rule number 56 "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." But that's what makes this book so good. It is essentially reminding us of many things that we probably know, but don't think about, or more likely, don't put into action, nearly enough. At least I know I don't follow some of these rules as often as I'd like.So reading this book reminds us of things we should do, ways we should act, and how we should treat others. If we think about these rules, and then act on them, we undoubtedly will enjoy more and reap rewards where those who don't follow the suggestions in this book will fall short and be more remorseful about failed relationships, unrecognized potential, and a general dreary outlook on portions of life.Each rule fills two pages, and on the second page there is a box with a key point in large print. Templar puts in personal examples and throws in a bit of humor here and there, making this an easy and enjoyable book to read. I really believe Templar is right when he says the secret to life comes down to choice, and I do believe the guidance in this book will help readers make better choices.I suggest a person read this book as I did, and that was only a couple of rules at a time at most, and then reflect a bit on how the rule might best serve you. Some rules you may wish to dismiss, and that's okay. With 106 good suggestions, just implementing a portion of them will make a difference in your life. Absorb and implement those that are useful and applicable to your situation and begin to live better, happier and be more successful.
Rules! (eyes narrowed; mouth tight; thinks about spitting - decides not to - the wife wouldn't approve of messing up the rug; thinks about fetching an old margarine tub to spit into - decides the moment has passed and swallows instead)That aside - this is a book about 'rules that the author has observed really successful people following', and the implication is that if we follow the same rules, then we will be successful too. Hurrah!I finished the book on the nineteenth of April and it's now the fifth of May. Tragically, I cannot remember any of these rules. Does this mean that I am destined for unsuccess? I'd like to think not.Here's the thing - there are 100 rules here and assuming you are like me and you read books at the rate of one every three days and then occupy yourself with other things at the same time, like working full time; figuring out what will make sweetheart happy today (another full time occupation); and sundry other things like eating, breathing, thinking, sleeping, walking (you get the gist I'm sure) ... anyways, there's a whole bunch of stuff, and I personally find it difficult to slow down enough to follow rules like these - even with the promise of being 'successful' (whatever that means).So, I'm sitting here trying to think up a better way to become a better person, but I'm not coming up with anything. No, wait, that's not true, lots of stuff is coming up, but I keep tagging it: 'tried that', 'doesn't work', 'that's silly', 'what?' etc.Maybe then, the book is good after all and it's just my method of using it that's ineffective.Or maybe 'intention' is a better way of getting on in life.Here's what I mean: I was searching my mind for a good example of an ineffective way of reading a book, and I thought of reading the book upside-down, but I can already do that, so I thought to myself that one way to demonstrate the wrong way of doing something is by using a computer keyboard upside-down.Then, as I was thinking of this, someone came over to me and asked me whether I could help them with a problem they were having with their computer. I found out that one of the problems the person was having was that the picture on their monitor was upside-down.Sound familiar?When I think about it, this kind of thing happens to me all the time - I'll think of something, and something related to it just happens.It makes me wonder whether the best way to be successful is just to intend to be successful.Partly because I've made my point, and partly because I've got a bad case of muddle-head this morning - I intend to stop writing about this book now.
What do You think about The Rules Of Life: A Personal Code For Living A Better, Happier, More Successful Life (2006)?
Nothing I don't already know. Personally I'm not a fan of books telling me what to do. Instead I prefer reading studies and observations. Yet, I loved the book, not for the content but for the style. It's so simple and light, catchy and sincere *not pretentious*. And yeah the rules can be a reminder or something of how to deal with the day-to-day situations given that people don't have time to think anymore ! Anyone can read it for a break or something..*yes 4 stars but I'm not buying the rest of the series: rules for work, parenting..etc"
—Hadeer
The Rules of Life is a collection of "rules" by Richard Templer on four areas of your life: self, spouse, family (parents and children), and friends. Each of these areas are separated into sections and within each sections, Richard Templar share with readers his observations on what successful people do.The book has a light-read feel to it; readers who pick up the book should be able to finish it within two to three days. The writing is easy to comprehend but I am slightly annoyed at the frequent "disclaimer" that the writer put in this book. He will once in a while, try to make a joke, but will make a tiny note at the bottom of the page asking readers not to be offended or not to write in to him. This was fine for a little while, but eventually becomes a little annoying. I must say though, this is a personal opinion. Other readers may not find anything wrong with this.As for the content, the rules are actually simple common sense. Still, I think if anyone has the time, they should pick up this book and just go through it quickly. It can be inspiring as it calls for the readers to be the better person in every situation. However, I wouldn't highly recommend it apart from being a night-time reading.
—Chung Chin
أول كتاب في التنمية البشرية بعد ثلاث سنوات من تركها !حقيقةً زعلانة من نفسي لأني خصصت قراءاتي لمجال معين الفترة الأخيرة وتركت تطوير و تنمية الذات، المعلومات وإن كانت مكررة نحن نحتاج نذكر فيها نفسنا بين كل فترة والثانية، في الأخير الإنسان ما حيتوقف لمرحلة معينة عن التطوّر والتنمية لنفسه!أخترت الكتاب ظناً مني أنه خفيف لفترة كنت فيها مزدحمة، الكتاب 300 صفحة ما أعتقد أنه بخفّة كتب التنمية والتطوير!، الجميل والمميز في الكتاب أنه بيعطيك قواعد على عِدة اصعدة : على الصعيّد المهني، الشخصي، العائلي، الإجتماعي ..المعلومات كثيرة لكن لم يُسهب في الكلام وهذا شيء ممتاز، بعض القواعد مبنية على تفاصيل صغيرة ما بننتبه لها عادة وهذا أكثر ما نال إعجابي في الكتاب، الكتاب بيذكرك بقوانين واُسس ويرجعنا للطريق المستقيم في الحياة .
—Razan Nahas رزان نحاس
